Method and arrangement for automatically refueling automotive vehicles

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for opening and closing a cover-plate on an automotive vehicle, wherein the plate lies in line with the vehicle outer body panel and can be swung between an open and a closed position about a vertical or horizontal hinge axis and covers the space in which the mouth of the vehicle refuelling pipe is located. The cover-plate is opened in two stages, wherein the plate is opened slightly to a limited open position by a first opening device in a first opening stage, thereby enabling a second opening device to be inserted between the cover-plate and the outer body panel, and wherein the plate is opened completely by the second opening device in a second opening stage. The cover plate is swung from its open to its closed position by the second opening device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an arrangement for automaticallyrefuelling cars or other automotive vehicles.

2. Description of the Related Art

An arrangement for automatically refuelling cars is described in SwedishPatent Application 8901674-5 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,034).

This known arrangement comprises a robot which includes a refuellingpistol or corresponding device. The arrangement also includes a sensingand control device which functions to move the refuelling pistolautomatically from a rest position to the vehicle refuelling location,subsequent to the vehicle having been manouvered into a predeterminedposition relative to the robot. The refuelling pistol includes a rigid,first tubular element or pipe which is moved by the robot towards areceiving plate provided with an aperture incorporated in the vehiclerefuelling location. A flexible, second pipe is displaceably mountedwithin the first, rigid pipe and can be moved from a first end position,in which the outer free end of the second pipe is located within thefirst pipe, to a second end position in which the second pipe projectsout from the first pipe. A pipe connection is provided between saidaperture and the tank-located vehicle refuelling pipe or tube. The robotis constructed to move the refuelling pipe out of the free end of thesecond pipe and down into the pipe connection or down into the vehiclerefuelling pipe, and fuel is pumped through the second pipe down intothe vehicle tank.

One problem with this arrangement, however, is that it is necessary toequip the cars with a special adapter having a cap which can be openedby the robot head in order to establish communication between the headand the vehicle refuelling pipe.

An advantage would be afforded if it were possible, instead, to retainthe original petrol-cap cover plate of the car, i.e. the plate mountedon the car chassis and covering the space in which the petrol cap islocated. In this case, a petrol cap constructed in accordance with theaforesaid patent specification would be required inwardly of the coverplate, in order to guide the flexible members of the robot head into thevehicle refuelling pipe. The problem remains, however, of constructingthe robot so that it is capable of opening and closing the cover platesof different car models.

The problem primarily consists in the fact that many different designsof car cover plates are found. The majority of mode cars, however, areequipped with a cover plate which lies in line with the surroundingouter body panel and which can be swung between a closed and an openposition about a vertical axis. Normally, a recess is provided in theouter body panel or an outwardly curved surface is provided on the coverplate, so that a finger can be readily inserted between the plate andthe outer body panel with the intention of opening the plate. Thedesign, however, differs widely from car to car.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforesaid problems are solved by means of the present invention,which provides a method and an arrangement for opening the cover platewith the aid of a robot, despite the various plate designs on differentmakes of vehicle.

The present invention thus relates to a method for opening and closing avehicle petrol-cap cover plate which lies in the line of the vehicleouter body panel and which can be swung between an open and a closedposition about a vertical or horizontal hinge axis and which covers thespace in which the mouth of the vehicle refuelling pipe is located, saidmethod being characterized by opening the cover plate in two stages,where in a first opening stage the flap is opened slightly to a limitedopen position by means of a first opening device, such as to enable asecond opening device to be inserted between the plate and the outerbody panel, wherein in a second opening stage said plate is openedcompletely by means of said second opening device; and by causing theplate to swing from its open to its closed position, by means of saidsecond opening device.

The invention also relates to an arrangement of the kind having a firstopening device provided for opening the cover-plate slightly to alimited open position in a first opening stage, and a second openingdevice for insertion between the cover-plate and the outer body panelwith the cover-plate in its limited open position. The second openingdevice is intended to open the plate completely in a second openingstage by effecting a lateral movement while the second opening device isin abutment with the rear side of the cover-plate. The second openingdevice also swings the cover-plate from its open position to its closedposition by executing a lateral movement while the second opening deviceis in abutment with the outside of the cover-plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 illustrates part of a vehicle provided with a petrol-cap coverplate and further illustrates part of a robot head and an openingarrangement in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2-8 illustrate a cover plate opening sequence;

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a cover plate closing sequence;

FIG. 11 illustrates a suction cup;

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a first cover plateopening device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an arrangement constructed in accordance with theinvention. The arrangement is intended to open and close a petrol-capcover plate 1 provided on a vehicle 2. The plate 1 lies in the line ofthe vehicle outer body panel and can be swung between an open and aclosed position about a vertical or horizontal hinge axis 3. The platecovers the space 4 in which the mouth of the vehicle refuelling pipe(not shown) is located, in a known manner.

FIG. 1 also illustrates a robot head 5 which includes position sensingmeans for sensing or detecting the position of the robot head relativeto a transponder 6 positioned behind or in the cover plate, orpositioned at some other location. The robot head also includes fuelpipes. The robot head may be constructed appropriately in accordancewith U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,024.

However, a positioning system other than that described in the aforesaidpatent specification can be used. For example, an optical system can beused.

The inventive arrangement includes a first cover-plate opening device 10which is intended to open the plate 1 slightly in a first opening stage,to a limited open position, illustrated in FIG. 5. The arrangement alsoincludes a second cover-plate opening device 11 which is intended forinsertion between the cover-plate 1 and the outer body panel 12 when theplate 1 occupies its limited open position, see FIG. 6. The secondopening device 11 is intended to open the cover-plate 1 completely in asecond stage, by executing a lateral movement with said second openingdevice 11 in abutment with the rear side 13 of the cover-plate 1, seeFIGS. 7 and 8.

The second opening device 11 is also intended to swing the cover-plate 1from its open to its closed position, by executing a lateral movementwith the second opening device in abutment with the outside 14 of thecover-plate 1, see FIGS. 9 and 10.

According to one preferred embodiment of the inventive arrangement, thetwo opening devices are attached to a body 19, which in turn is attachedto the robot head. In this way, all movements are effected by movementof the robot head. Alternatively, the inventive arrangement may be suchas to enable the body 19 to be moved through the intermediary ofseparate movable devices.

As beforementioned, the inventive arrangement operates to open thecover-plate 1 in two stages, wherein the plate 1 is opened slightly to alimited open position in a first stage, see FIG. 5, by means of thefirst opening device 10, such as to enable the second opening device 11to be inserted between the cover-plate 1 and the outer body panel 12. Ina second opening stage, the plate 1 is opened completely by means of thesecond opening device 11. The cover-plate 1 is swung from its openposition to its closed position by means of the second opening device11.

When the refuelling robot is used to refuel a car, the robot head ismoved forwards against said transponder 6, as described in the aforesaidU.S. patent specification. This is illustrated in FIG. 1, which showsthe robot head 5 moved forwards in the Y-direction, along the brokenline 15. Subsequent to the robot head being located in a predeterminedposition relative to the transponder 6, the robot head is moved slightlyin the X-direction, see FIG. 2, whereafter said head is moved in theZ-direction, towards the cover plate 1, see FIGS. 3 and 4, such that inthe first opening stage the first opening device 10 is brought intoabutment with the cover plate 1 in a region 16 which is opposite theedge along which the cover plate is hinged in relation to the outer bodypanel 12. The second opening device is mounted resiliently by means of aspring 17, so that said device is able to spring in the direction of thearrow 18 relative to the body 19 of said arrangement, see FIG. 3.

When the first opening device 10 is in abutment with the cover-plate 1,see FIG. 4, the opening device 10 is caused to execute an outwardlydirected, limited movement, i.e. a movement in the negative Z-direction,thereby moving the cover plate to said limited, open position, see FIG.5.

The second opening device 11 includes a mechanical member, such as anarm 20, which with the cover-plate 1 in said limited open position isinserted behind the cover-plate 1 at the edge opposite to the edge alongwhich the cover plate is hinged relative to the outer body panel, seeFIG. 6. This is effected by moving the robot head in the X-direction.

The second opening device 11 is then caused to act on the rear side 13of the cover-plate and to move laterally, such as to open thecover-plate completely, see FIGS. 7 and 8. This lateral movement iseffected by moving the robot head in a coordinated movement in theX-Z-plane.

According to the method, the cover-plate 1 is closed by moving thesecond opening device 11 laterally with said device in abutment with theoutside 14 of the cover-plate, such as to swing the plate from its opento its closed position, see FIGS. 9 and 10. This lateral movement isalso effected by causing the robot head to execute a coordinatedmovement in the X-Z-plane.

Filling of the vehicle takes place subsequent to moving the cover-plateto the fully-open position illustrated in FIG. 8. As mentioned in theaforegoing, the robot head takes a predetermined position in relation tothe transponder. The robot then measures its movements effected when thecover-plate is opened, such that the position of the robot relative tothe vehicle chassis is always known. The transponder has stored thereinrelevant information concerning the position of the fuelling piperelative to the position of the transponder. The transponder may alsocontain information concerning the precise movements to be carried outby the robot head in order to open the cover plate in the aforedescribedmanner.

The transponder may also contain information as to whether thecover-plate is hinged on a vertical axis or a horizontal axis. The casewhere the cover-plate is hinged on a vertical axis is described above.When the cover-plate is hinged on a horizontal axis, a corresponding setof movements in the Y-Z-plane is carried out instead.

Beginning from the position illustrated in FIG. 8, the robot head movesin the negative Z-direction, whereafter the robot head is moved to thefilling pipe. When refuelling of the vehicle is completed, the robothead is moved to the position shown in FIG. 9, therewith closing thecover-plate in the aforedescribed manner.

According to a first embodiment, the first opening device 10 includesone or more suction cups 21 which communicates/communicate with asubpressure source (not shown) through a hose 22. The suction cups areintended to abut the cover-plate in a region opposite the edge alongwhich the cover-plate is hinged relative to the outer body panel,whereafter subpressure is applied prior to the opening device executingthe outwardly directed, limited movement. FIG. 11 illustrates, by way ofexample, a suction cup arrangement seen in the direction of arrow 23 inFIG. 1. This suction cup arrangement includes nine suction cups 24disposed in a diamond pattern. This construction ensures that a numberof suction cups will always be in good contact with the outer surface 14of the cover-plate 1.

According to a second embodiment, the first opening device 10 includes apermanent magnet or an electromagnet 25, see FIG. 12, which is intendedto abut the cover-plate 1 in a region opposite to the edge along whichthe cover-plate is hinged relative to the outer body panel. Whenelectric current flows in the electromagnet, or when a permanent magnetis used, the magnet is either intended to coact with the cover-plate 1,provided that said plate is constructed from magnetic material, or,alternatively, to coact with a magnetic member 26 attached to the rearside 13 of the cover-plate.

The first opening device may be provided with one or more springs 27made of steel or rubber material, such that the opening device will bebrought smoothly and gently into abutment with the cover-plate 1. Thefirst opening device is also preferably pivotally suspended relative tothe body 19, via a hinge 28, against the action of a spring force.

A very important feature of the present invention resides in the factthat the cover-plate is opened in two stages, wherein in the first stagecover-plates of different types can be opened by means of theafore-described first opening device, and wherein the second openingstage can also be effected with cover-plates of different designs.

The present invention can be modified with respect to its construction.For example, the two cover-plate opening devices may have a differentconstruction to that shown, without departing from their functionaloperation. Among other things, the first opening device may include bothan electromagnet and suction cups.

The present invention shall not therefore be considered restricted tothe aforedescribed embodiments, since modifications and variations canbe made within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. An arrangement having first and second opening devices foropening and closing a cover-plate on an automotive vehicle having anouter body panel and a refuelling pipe including a mouth, said platelying in the line of the vehicle outer body panel and capable of beingswung between an open and a closed position about a generally verticalor a generally horizontal hinge axis and covering the space in which themouth of the vehicle refuelling pipe is located, comprising:a firstopening means positioned to abut and to releasably engage an outersurface of the cover-plate for opening the cover-plate slightly to alimited open position in a first opening stage; a second opening meansfor insertion between the cover-plate and the outer body panel with thecover-plate in its limited open position, wherein said second openingmeans opens the cover-plate completely in a second opening stage byeffecting a lateral movement of the cover-plate about its hinge axiswith said second opening device in abutment with a rear side of saidcover-plate; positioning means for positioning the first and secondopening means adjacent to the cover-plate; and wherein the secondopening means swings the cover-plate from its open to its closedposition, by moving said second opening means laterally while inabutment with an outer surface of the cover-plate.
 2. An arrangementaccording to claim 1, wherein the first opening means includes at leastone suction cup which communicates with a subpressure source, saidsuction cup being operable for abutment with the outer surface of thecover-plate in a region thereon spaced from the hinge axis; and whereinthe first opening means is operable to execute an outwardly directed,limited movement and thereby open the cover-plate to said limited openposition.
 3. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the firstopening means includes a magnet to abut the outer surface of thecover-plate in a region spaced from the hinge axis; and wherein themagnet coacts with a magnetic material forming part of the cover-plate;and wherein the first opening means executes an outwardly directed,limited movement, to open the cover-plate to said limited open position.4. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said second openingmeans includes a mechanical member for insertion behind the cover-platewhile said plate is in its limited open position.
 5. A method foropening and closing a cover-plate on an automotive vehicle having anouter body panel and a refuelling pipe including a mouth, said platelying in the line of the vehicle outer body panel and capable of beingswung between an open and a closed position about a generally verticalor a generally horizontal hinge axis and covering the space in which themouth of the vehicle refueling pipe is located, wherein a first openingdevice is positioned relative to the cover-plate and wherein a secondopening device is positioned to be inserted between the cover-plate andthe outer body panel, comprising the steps of:a) providing a firstopening means that is arranged to abut and to releasably engage an outersurface of the cover-plate, and a second opening means that is arrangedto be inserted between the cover-plate and an adjacent outer body panelof the vehicle; b) positioning the first and second opening meansexternally of and adjacent to the cover-plate; c) opening thecover-plate a limited distance to a first, limited open position withthe first opening means to enable the second opening means to beinserted between the cover-plate and the adjacent portion of the vehicleouter body panel; and d) opening the cover-plate from the first, limitedopen position to a second, fully-open position with the second openingmeans.
 6. A method in accordance with claim 5, including the step ofproviding at least one suction cup on the first opening means, whereinthe at least one suction cup communicates with a subpressure source;bringing the at least one suction cup into abutment with the outersurface of the cover-plate in a region of the cover-plate spaced fromthe hinge axis; and effecting an outwardly directed, limited movement ofthe first opening means to open the cover-plate to said first, limitedopen position.
 7. A method in accordance with claim 5, including thesteps of:providing a magnet on the first opening means; bringing themagnet into abutment with the cover-plate in a region of the cover-platespaced from the hinge axis to coact with a magnetic material carried bythe cover-plate; and effecting an outwardly directed, limited movementof the first opening means to open the cover-plate to said first,limited open position.
 8. A method in accordance with claim 5, includingthe steps of:providing an arm member on the second opening means;inserting the arm member behind the cover-plate at an edge spacedopposite from the hinge axis; causing the second opening means to engagea rear side of the cover-plate; and moving the second opening devicelaterally relative to the cover-plate hinge axis to fully open thecover-plate.
 9. A method in accordance with claim 5, including the stepof:closing the cover-plate by laterally moving the second opening meansto swing the cover-plate from its fully open position to its closedposition.